912 oration of Lomonofsoff. Det. 36 
commanders ; to execute all this, seemed in reality 
‘an impofsibility,- because the want and deprivation 
of power in the sovereign had extinguilhed the last 
hope and probability: what then was the conse« 
‘quence? Beyond the public expectation, in opposi~ 
tion to the difbelief of those who ‘had lost hope, and 
in spite of the intrigues and murmurs of malice it- 
self, the new legions of Peter unexpectedly marched 
_ and excited in the faithful sons of Rufsia joyful 
hope ; in the discontented, terror, and in both asto- 
nifhment. Impofsibilities become pofsible by extra- 
ordinary afsiduity, and above all by unheard of ex. 
ample. The senate of Rome, when beholding Tra- 
jan standing before the consul for the acceptance of 
this dignity, exclaimed, ‘“‘ By this you are greater, 
by this you are more majestic.”” What exclamations, 
what clapping of hands are due to Peter the Great 
for his unaffected condescention. Our fathers saw; 
they saw their crowned sovereign, not amongst the 
number of candadites for the consulate of Rome ; but 
amidst his fellow soldiers: not demanding honours 
of the Romans; but conducting the exercises of his 
own subjects. You beautiful plains you happy 
fields, which beheld-so wonderful a spectacle ! O how 
you enjoyed the friendly enmity of legions trained 
by a sovereign, conducting and subordinate ; com- 
manding and obedient! O how you wondered at 
sieges, defences, and surrenders of embattlements, 
not undertaken for present profit, but for future 
glory; not for the subjection of the rebellious, but 
for the encouragement of friends. We, reflecting 
on past years, represent to ourselves the love and 
eee 
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